TCEB uses ‘Better the Best’ initiative as a crucial engine to drive further economic growth
SINGAPORE/ 4th May 2011 – The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), in collaboration with Singapore Business Federation (SBF), organised a business symposium entitled “Opportunities in 5 Key Business Sectors in Thailand”. The function aims to enhance awareness of business opportunities in Thailand and open the door to the ASEAN market through the country’s key industrial sectors.
This symposium is part of TCEB’s support of the Thailand’s exhibition industry under its ‘Better the Best’ campaign, which is being implemented for the second consecutive year. Aiming to emphasise the readiness of Thailand for ASEAN integration in 2015, the efficiency and capacity of the nation will be shown through the exhibition of “champion shows” , which will be in turn boost the economy of Thailand as a whole. The campaign also aims to further support the image of “Bangkok as the Exhibition City of ASEAN”.
Speaking at the symposium, Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, said, “Last year, the Better the Best campaign successfully brought in more than US$2,281 million in economic value into Thailand through business negotiations concluded by participants of the events. This year, TCEB is continuing with the campaign and is providing maximum support to the five core industries that are part of the national agenda: livestock and agriculture, gift and decorative items, renewable energy, machine tools and metal working, and packaging technology, which have a value as high as US$146.8 million.”
“Singapore is considered a key market for Thailand’s MICE industry. Thailand has welcomed a significant number of Singaporean MICE visitors over the past five years. Singaporean visitors represent around 10% of the total MICE visitors from Asia every year, and the number is expected to grow by a substantial 31% in 2011,” added Mr. Akapol.
Ms. Supawan Teerarat, Director of Exhibitions at TCEB, told the symposium delegates that: “We are present here today to offer business opportunities through 5 champion international trade fairs of Thailand – Bangkok International Gift Fair & Bangkok International Houseware (BIG + BIH), METALEX, Propak Asia, Renewable Energy Asia, and VIV Asia – to business visitors in Singapore. The exhibitions are set to meet international standards regulated by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). Some of the events were certified as UFI Approved Events, which endorses and enhances the international competitiveness of Thailand’s exhibitions industry in the global market. In turn, the image of Bangkok as the destination of international trade fairs for ASEAN is being emphasized.”
“All five events are the gateways to trade and investment in each industry. The events not only urge the economy of the country to grow in successive and sustainable ways, but TCEB also believes that the campaign will add a growth of 15-20 percent to Thailand’s MICE industry. The number of foreign buyers, exhibitors and visitors into Thailand is expected to total of 27,181 people, which is expected to generate revenues of more than US$74.3 million,” concluded Mr. Akapol.
“The economic integration and free-trade agreement expected to be completed in 2015 offers Thailand a golden opportunity in terms of the development of markets and expansion of the economy through exhibitions. This year, TCEB will direct the operation of Better the Best towards the collaboration at the Government-to-Government level, as well as with certain state offices, in a way that leads to the initiation of deals between foreign buyers and exhibitors. To begin with, the ASEAN+6 countries will be targeted. The holding of events will definitely promote and increase trading potential and investment between countries through exhibitions that will eventually generate growth for our industry,” said Ms. Supawan.
Support for international trade exhibitions and exhibitors is currently being provided by TCEB through a range of promotions and offers under the Extra Night, Extra Smile campaign. Visitors can enjoy one night complimentary stay at the trade show organizer’s appointed hotels when staying minimum of 2 nights to visit the show. Additionally, Thai International Airways, TCEB’s strategic partner, has also offered MICE promotion for Singapore business travelers to visit the shows in Thailand. Other privileges in transportation, shopping and a line-up of entertainments throughout Bangkok are also offered to maximise exhibition visitors’ experiences in Thailand.
According to the latest statistics compiled by UFI, the exhibitions industry of Thailand continues to lead rivals in ASEAN with total of value of 10,508 million Baht gained through 75 events, putting Thailand above competitors in the region. Furthermore, Thailand has maintained the leadership in the exhibitions industry of ASEAN in other aspects, such as the exhibition space totaling up to 466,500 square metros each year, as well as having eight exhibition venues which are well-recognised by UFI. Thailand is therefore a market with high potential for the international exhibition industry in ASEAN and has the potential to further grow as the leader in this region. When considering the income earned from exhibition-related activities, Thailand is currently number 4 in Asia, after Hong Kong, China and Japan.
